Synopsis

Plot

In his office, Principal Brown is waxing his body for Miss Simian. He shaves some of his hair, and then he regrows his hair again, ending up throwing his waxed hair into the garbage can (with some bits missing). The whole time he was shaving, Gumball and Darwin were in his office, and are visibly disturbed by what they just witnessed.

Principal Brown assigns them to watch the school hamster, Chris Morris, for the weekend. He also tells them that the hamster is 6 years old, being caged since he was born. Gumball and Darwin protest, with Gumball saying "it looks so old that it can be classified as a mineral." Principal Brown says it is an order, and (picking up Chris Morris from the cage) asks the boys to take good care of it (although he accidentally drops him on the floor). Then he picks him up again, and places him back in the cage. Before Gumball and Darwin can protest again, he tells them to wait for the clock to reach four o'clock. After that, he does not care anymore since he is not anymore the principal, and the boys have to do what was assigned to them.

Miss Simian enters Brown's office with weird make-up on her face. She asks Principal Brown to have romance time with her, and they start making weird sounds that disturb Gumball and Darwin (who walk out from the scene after "hearing enough"). Brown and Simian also leave the Scene shortly. Later, it shows that it is an actually a clump of Principal Brown's hair in the cage (Principal brown mistaking a clump of his hair for Chris Morris when he placed him back) and that Chris Morris is on the floor, planning to escape.

At home (the next day), Gumball becomes excited and says he is going out on a date with Penny. As he fixes his hair style, Darwin asks what he is doing and Gumball says he is doing his hair for the date. Darwin asks about what he should wear to the date thinking he is coming too, but Gumball refuses and asks him to take care of the "hamster." Darwin also refuses to take care of "Chris Morris" (still a lump of Brown's hair), so Gumball takes the "hamster" with him on his date with Penny. Darwin complains that he will have nothing to do and that he will be bored.

During Gumball's date with Penny, Penny thinks that "Chris Morris" is cute, and that it is cool that Gumball is looking after him. Gumball says that he is a "marriage material" kind of guy. He proves this to Penny by using the school "hamster." Penny is impressed by him and is convinced anyway.

Back home, Darwin, angered, sitting on the chair, mocks Gumball, until Gumball comes back. Gumball is so happy that his date was successful, and told Darwin how awesome the "hamster" is as a wingman. Darwin gets annoyed and says he is trying to give Gumball the "silent treatment" but Gumball does not notice this. Gumball gives the "hamster" to him and asks Darwin to try how awesome Chris Morris is.

Darwin brings "Chris Morris" at the park, and spends some time with the "hamster." He starts talking to it and has flashbacks about the old times when he was young and the time he spent with Gumball. Later on (with a crazy face), Darwin starts chatting wildly, hysterically speaking with the "hamster" about how he does not like it that he feels left out with Gumball and Penny together, and talks about his possible fear of being abandoned. After disturbing some nearby people with his enraged wild chatting. Darwin starts crying, but it is interrupted by Leslie, greeting him, as he greets him back, and he continues crying. Darwin eventually feels lighter and calms down.

Back home with Gumball, Darwin says that "Chris Morris" is the best, being a good listener. They start hanging out with "Chris Morris," and a montage shows them hugging, cuddling and kissing the lump of hair they still think is the school hamster, while there are flashes of random pictures of hair in the montage. While Gumball and Darwin hang out with the "hamster" and look out of a window, the hair suddenly falls out of the window and makes the boys panic.

Gumball and Darwin try to save the "hamster," in the process making it go through random obstacles (like going on the frying pan, dropping on the floor, and being smashed like it was a rat). Gumball picks it up but it was still hot from being fried by the frying pan. Because of this, he throws the "hamster" to the Evil turtle. Darwin takes "Chris Morris" from the turtle, and throws him to Gumball. Gumball fails to catch it, and the "hamster" ends up in the dishwasher while Gumball accidentally closes and operates it. After that, they try to do CPR with macaroni on "Chris Morris" but make "him" explode. They finally realize the truth (that they had been hanging out with a piece of hair, and had kissed it lots of times) making them disgusted and worried. They also realize that the hamster could still be at school and that there is no food or water for Chris Morris (and that he is probably starving).

They rush to the school and enter through the back window by using Gumball's claw as a glass cutter and Darwin's mouth to open the window (although this resulted in the whole wall falling down instead). They find Chris Morris, and try to get him. Chris Morris activates the school alarm and "runs" off, making Gumball and Darwin chase after him. But the hamster is so slow that they always run ahead of him. So they chase Chris Morris with the speed of an old 90's computer.

The alarm triggers the Doughnut Sheriff, Miss Simian, and Principal Brown to go look around the school. Gumball and Darwin avoid them, and go to the Lab to search for the hamster. There Chris Morris releases gas and a broken light bulb and causes an explosion. Gumball and Darwin run away from the explosion and jump down too early resulting in them getting burned. Gumball gets enraged and moves quickly to catch the hamster. He moves so fast that he ends up flying through the hallway, and goes straight through the Doughnut Sheriff's mouth (while he was yawning).

Gumball and Chris Morris end up in the Principal's office. Gumball catches the hamster, but it bites him resulting him to scream so loud. His scream alarms Miss Simian, Principal Brown and the Doughnut Sheriff, and they go to Principal Brown's office to check out the scream. While they are searching for the source of the sound, Gumball and Darwin discuss that there is no way out, and they will be imprisoned. The hamster suddenly saves them by "telling" them to hide with him in the closet. After Principal Brown, Miss Simian and the Doughnut Sheriff see the office empty, Miss Simian demands romance time again and they all leave. Gumball asks why Chris Morris helped them, and the hamster tells them that he knows how it feels to be in a cage and does not want the same thing to happen to them. Gumball did not understand this though, so Darwin (understanding it) tells him. Gumball makes a decoy in the hamster cage (another lump of hair from Principal Brown).

Gumball and Darwin take Chris Morris to the wild for him to see the sunlight. In the grass, Chris Morris dies, but then suddenly becomes alive again (insisting on dying another day). Gumball and Darwin dramatically watch him go to the wild, but since Chris Morris was too slow in leaving, they just leave and go home.

Trivia

In "The Meddler" Principal Brown's hair required fertilizer to grow back, but in this episode, it grows back by itself within seconds.

If one were to think about it, it was actually Principal Brown who started the events of the episode. He accidentally picked up a ball of his hair instead of Chris Morris and put it in the cage he gave to Gumball and Darwin without noticing.

Darwin seems to have the ability to communicate with rodents and other animals. He will go on to do this in several more episodes.

Continuity

Gumball again demonstrates his lack of catching ability. This was first mentioned in "The Quest."

This is the fifth time that Gumball shows characteristics of a real cat.

The Daisy the Donkey on Ice flyer from "The Car" can be seen in Gumball's room.

Darwin mentions Chris Morris not being "one of his dads," implying that he was a part of previous families before the Wattersons. This may explain the long name he introduced in "The Party."

A Window on the Soul by Mic Graves makes a third appearance, this time revealed as a series of books, as shown in the scene with Gumball, Darwin and Chris Morris hiding. The first appearance of one of the books was in "The Flower" and another in "The Photo."

Principal Brown's Office

Nigel Brown: [Reading] Apply wax strip to hairy area, leave for a few seconds and peel back quickly for a smooth and painless experience. [He puts wax all over his body and grabs a picture of Miss Simian] This is all for you my darling, and also because... [He rips some of the hair off his body, revealing muscles and bare skin] Hello! [His hair regrows fast] Oh well, I guess I just have to wait for the seventies to come back into fashion. Oh!

[He sees Gumball and Darwin gaping at him, disturbed by what they have just seen. Brown throws a lump of his waxed hair at the trash bin. He misses.]

Nigel Brown: How long have you been standing there?

Gumball: Long enough for curiosity to turn into regret.

Nigel Brown: Right! Any plans for the weekend?

Gumball: Well, I was going on a date with Penny, but maybe I'll just stay home and bleach my eyeballs.

[The principal brings out a hamster cage, and shows Chris Morris to Gumball and Darwin. There is a moment of silence as they stare at the old and hairy hamster]

Gumball: Oh, come on! This hamster's so old it should be classified as a mineral. I don't wanna be the kid responsible for him when he turns into dust!

Nigel Brown: Well, I'm afraid it wasn't a request. It's an order. [Takes out Chris Morris from his cage] He's been in this cage since he was born, six long years ago. So please take extremely good- [Drops Chris Morris, then picks up a lump of his waxed fur, mistaking it for Chris Morris] -extremely good care of him.

Gumball: Principal Brown, there is no way-

Nigel Brown: Ahem! Just a moment.

[He watches the clock nearby tick down to four o'clock. Just seconds are left, and it soon becomes four o'clock]

Nigel Brown: Aaaaaand-It's four o'clock. I'm not a principal anymore, I don't care.

[Miss Simian barges into the office with weird make-up on]

Lucy Simian: Romance. NOW!

[Miss Simian and Principal Brown start making weird noises and movements with their mouths and faces. This disturbs Gumball and Darwin]

Gumball: I think we've heard enough.

[Gumball and Darwin leave with Chis Morris' cage. Soon, Principal Brown jumps to Mis Simian. She catches him, and they leave the office together. After they all leave, a lump of Principal Brown's hair moves, reavealing itself to actually be Chris Morris. He is shown free, and then crawls away.]

Chris Morris: [He squeaks, and subtitles come on-screen. They read: You kept me imprisoned for an eternity. But today, at the sunset of my life, I shall walk proud and free, to a new life of happiness and abundance, and I shall see the daylight once more.]

The Next Day

[Scene shows the Wattersons' house and a time-lapse to the next day.]

[Gumball wakes up, excited]

Gumball: My date with Penny!

[He gets up, and fixes up his hair. After trying out many hairstyles, he settles on one]

Darwin: What are you doing?

Gumball: I'm doing my hair for the date.

Darwin: Oh cool! What should I wear?

Gumball: What do you mean?

Darwin: For the date!

Gumball: Dude, you're not coming to my date. You'll be a third wheel.

Darwin: Yeah, on your tricycle.

Gumball: No way, man.

Darwin: But I've got nothing to do!

Gumball: Well, you can look after Chris Morris.

Darwin: What, no! I've got stuff to do.

Gumball: You just said you had nothing to do! Fine, I'll look after him then. But it's your fault if this drain-hair burrito uses his last breath to ruin my date.

Gumball's Date with Penny

[Penny and Gumball are out in a restaurant. "Chris Morris" (Principal Brown's lump of hair) is out of his cage on the table of Penny and Gumball]

Penny: Oh, he's so cute! I think it's so cool that you're looking after him.

Gumball: You do? Well, you see the thing you gotta learn about me, Penny, is that I'm a stand-up guy.

Penny: [Smiles]

Gumball: The kind of guy who takes care of school pets without being asked.

Gumball: Oh my gosh dude! You have to hang out with Chris Morris, he's the best! I just had the most awesome date with Penny, and he was the perfect wingman! I'm gonna ask Principal Brown if we can take care him next weekend, and the weekend after, and the weekend after, and the weekend after-

Darwin: Dude! I'm trying to give you the silent treatment, but it doesn't work if you don't notice!

[Gumball gives Darwin "Chris Morris".]

Gumball: Just try it. [Walks away] Try Chris Morris.

Darwin's Conversation with "Chris Morris"

[Darwin and Chris Morris are on a bench in the park. Darwin sighs]

Darwin: Things have changed. It used to just be me and him, versus the world. But now all he cares about is [Makes an ugly face] Penny. I mean, of course I want him to be happy. I just wished I could be part of it. Am I being too possessive? I am being too possessive. Do you mind if I lie down? [Lies down on bench] I think this all started a long time ago… back when I was still just a kid…

Darwin: I just don't want to be left alone, you see? [Rocking on a kiddy ride] It's the silence... the terrible silence...

[Darwin again changes moods. As he screams, he scares of some other bystanders]

Darwin: You don't get to judge me, Chris Morris! You're not one of my dads!

[Skips to Darwin crying. Leslie passes by.]

Leslie: Hi, Darwin.

Darwin: [Cheerily] Oh, hi! [Continues crying]

[Darwin is shown. He has calmed down, and he talks normally]

Darwin: You know what, Chris Morris? I think I just realized that all this is coming from my fear of abandonment. I'm projecting my anxieties onto my brother and forgetting to actually live my own life. [Sighs contently] Dude, [Hugs "Chris Morris'" cage] thank you.

Chris Morris is the Best!

[Darwin comes back home. Gumball is on the couch]

Darwin: Chris Morris is the best!

Gumball: The best, right?

Darwin: He's such a good listener. He really helped me through some stuff.

Gumball: Is there nothing he can't do?

["Chris Morris" does nothing. Gumball and Darwin laugh]

Darwin: I love it when he does that!

Gumball: I can't believe how much happiness he's brought us.

Darwin: And to think that all his life he's been locked up like this, starved of affection-

Gumball: Just because people couldn't see beyond the layers of oozing fur-

["Chris Morris" is taken out of the cage. A montage shows "him" hanging out with a happy Gumball and Darwin. Gumball and Darwin give "Chris Morris" some ice cream, then bathe with "him". They also sleep with "him", and kiss "him" many times (getting hair inside their mouths). During the montage, flashes of pictures of hair, and Principal Brown shaving appear, corrupting the happy moments and music playing. The montage ends when Gumball and Darwin accidentally drop "Chris Morris", and "he" falls out of their bedroom window. They both scream]

The Truth

[The boys run down to "Chris Morris"]

Gumball: He's not moving!

Darwin: Do something!

Gumball: I'm gonna put some water on his face.

[Gumball picks "him" up and with Darwin rushes into the house. But he trips, and sends "Chris" flying. "Chris" lands on a pan that Richard is using to cook]

Richard: AH! Rat! [Smashes "Chris Morris" several times with the frying pan]

Gumball: Dad, don't!

[He picks up "Chris Morris", but "he" is hot from being hit by the frying pan several times. Gumball throws him away to the Evil Turtle. The turtle bites "Chris Morris", and Darwin rescues "him" before throwing him back to Gumball.]

Gumball: Let's head him off at the lab. You can run, but you can't hide.

[Gumball sniffs around]

Gumball: I can smell you.

Darwin: Yeah, me too. It's kind of gassy.

[Gumball and Darwin turn around, and see a lit bunsen burner and a broken lamp next to it. Their gaze follows the wire as it goes under a door, and they see Chris Morris on the other side, holding two wires. He plugs them together.]

Gumball: RUN! [The lab explodes] Jump!

[Gumball and Darwin fall face first on the floor]

Gumball: Oh, sorry. Wrong timing.

[Gumball and Darwin get bathed in flames. Gumball stands up, singed but furious]

Gumball: [Echoing] CHRIS MORRIS!

[Chris Morris turns around, and gets tackled by Gumball. They sail through the air.]